If a legal professional such as a lawyer or paralegal does not understand the service of process rules in their state (or the rules of service to out of state defendants) then mistakes could happen and jeopardize the lawsuit. If you need a summons and complaint or some other legal papers served on time and correctly, your best course of action is to hire a professional process server. Serve at least 10 days before deposition, unless documents are requested in conjunction with the deposition if they are, allow at least 30 days.One of the main arguments for using a professional service of process agency to serve your legal papers is that mistakes do not happen. Late claims will be stricken if the delay prejudices the opposing party. In Answer, or, within 30 days of time for filing Answer. Tolls time for answering until 15 days after preliminary motion decided Must be served within 60 days of issuance. resident defendants 35 days against non-resident defendants. Late amendments will be stricken if the delay prejudices the opposing party.
![motion to dismiss maryland motion to dismiss maryland](https://www.pdffiller.com/preview/100/700/100700080.png)
Prior to 15 Days of Trial, just do it! Within 15 days of trial, need leave of court or opponent's written consent. In Circuit Court cases, must demand a jury trial in writing within 15 days of the "last pleading directed to the issue" (i.e., typically within 15 days after Answer to Complaint is due) in District Court cases, must demand a jury trial in writing within 10 days of the "last pleading directed to the issue" (i.e., typically within 10 days after Answer to Complaint is due). Medical Malpractice = 5 years from the time of injury, or, 3 years from discovery of the injury, whichever is shorter. So, with that warning, here are some examples of litigation deadlines in Maryland state court cases: Description of Event or Task Trying to figure all of this out on your own is never a smart approach. Besides, there are hundreds of deadlines and these rules change quite often. But wait too long to consult with an attorney, and that case you considered a slam dunk may be tossed out of court. Only an experienced lawyer can appreciate the finer distinctions and the "unwritten" rules of the Court. Some courts and some judges are more strict than others. How do you know what deadlines are truly "dead lines"? You don't. It's not the best practice to maintain, but unless a party repeatedly defies the rules and court orders to produce essential information, your case probably won't be dismissed for answering those written questions a few weeks late. Yes, the rules tell us that we must answer interrogatories within a certain period of time.
![motion to dismiss maryland motion to dismiss maryland](https://www.pdffiller.com/preview/100/73/100073761/large.png)
There are other "deadlines" which carry fewer consequences. And if you lose your case and wish to appeal to a higher authority, you may never get to challenge dubious legal rulings if you fail to meet the deadlines. File a late demand for jury trial and the case you wanted to take before a jury of your peers will now be decided by a judge instead.
![motion to dismiss maryland motion to dismiss maryland](https://www.signnow.com/preview/5/522/5522018/large.png)
The same is true for demanding a jury trial, or for appealing a case you've lost. Miss your state's statute of limitations, for example, and no matter how great your evidence may be, you'll never get to present it. Which deadlines matter and which don't? To some degree, they all matter, but some matter more than others. Not all litigation deadlines are deadly, but some can kill your case.